Bill McConnell

After seminary and graduate school at Drew University, I felt called to join the ranks of the Presbyterian Church (USA). For the past three years, I've been pastor of the First Presbyterian Church in Fremont, Ohio.

I certainly have many fond memories of my seminary experience, especially the camaraderie that existed with fellow students. Regardless of whatever else I may accomplish in life, my proudest achievement will always be the year I spent as the Stearns Hall Patriarch (an honorific title bestowed on that hapless soul who, largely on account of postponing matrimony, wound up having the longest tenure of any resident in that hall.)

In terms of an ongoing contribution to my life and ministry, my seminary studies certainly laid a solid foundation in the area of biblical exegesis, which I continue to draw upon. Ironically, it was also my time at DTS that helped propel me in a different ministry direction from the bulk of my classmates. Ed Blum's seminar on Barth and Alan Ross's exquisite articulation of the worship theology in the Psalms were formative experiences that helped solidify my movement in the direction of a liturgically-oriented expression of faith.